Rasa Express

Great place.
If you’re looking for super quick, cheap, tasty and filling south indian/​Kerelan, then walk this way.
The thali is now circa £5 to £6, depending on veg/​meat options, Dosa’s are about £5.
Genuine home cooking, efficient service, small and basic dining (get there around 12.30 if you want a guaranteed seat), great indian classical music in the background.
Das, the owner has a few other outposts around London and his cooking is ‘bigged-​up’ by Jaime Oliver.
Can’t go wrong (other than your diet, and your appetite for the rest of the day)

I had passed this place a number of times but someone told me it was take away only and so I hadn’t tried it. I have been to Rasa many times though and really enjoy their food so when it came up in conversation with someone new and they mentioned that the Express has tables I dropped my lunch plans. It is really a take away but as they have a few tables it the front you don’t need to brave the London winter to enjoy their food. The price is surprisingly low considering how much you get, and there is a limited menu but it is all good and you get so much in your order that this shouldn’t put you off. I upgraded to a chicken biryani for 50p more (!) and ordered a mango lassi for the grand price of £1, I don’t think I have ever had a mango lassi in London for a pound and it was delicious.
There are of course many amazing restaurants on nearby Drummond street but if you want a very quick, tasty, good quality and varied meal at a very good price, at lunchtime, this is the place for you.

I went in for the vegetarian lunch thali. It was ready in a jiffy,
cheap, and packaged to go. The mix of items was reasonable, and
though none was lip-​smackingly delicious, they all had that familiar,
home-​made flavor to them. (I don’t make a big deal out of
«authenticity», but for those who care: this brought to mind various
Keralite family meals, i.e., it’s «authentic».) Great value for the
money.

Nice canteen-​like south Indian joint. The idea is that you get a thali tray. You can either get a vegetarian option (one aubergine curry, some stir fried vegetables, rice, dhal, naan bread and some pudding). The meat option includes a chicken curry. Price is around 4quid. They also have simple dosas and a number of fry-​up bhajis.
All in all in a fast meal that will leave you satisfied for little money.

Really affordable lunch joint. Great food for 4 bucks,

This place is becoming a regular lunch haunt for me.
No nonsense, authentic but great tasting Indian food.
You simply order a vegetarian, chicken curry or chicken biryani, and it comes with rice, bread, a side order, dessert. All for £4.
You can’t go wrong.

Just got take out here for lunch as a work colleague recommended it — and its pretty good. They do a set meal for lunch take aways for £4 (£3.50 veggies) which provides you with Rice, a chicken dish, 2 veggie dishes, a bit of indian bread (no not naan) and randomly a dessert (bit like semolina). It was pretty good although it was ready vveerryy quickly so hopefully ill still feel ok tomorrow.
Stars here are for convenience, price and taste! This may change depending on how i feel tomorrow